The Gray, Milan, Italy

The Gray is super-stylish and utterly central, with the Duomo at the end of the street, La Scala and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele round the corner.

By Harper's Bazaar Staff11 August 2010

The Gray looks glossy, with a solid, mirrored rectangle as an awning. On our left as we enter is a small cocktail lounge, boudoirish, with velvet banquettes; the reception area is replete with a giant fuchsia-upholstered swing. The Gray is precisely central, with the Duomo at the end of the street, La Scala and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele round the corner.

Hotel restaurantsThe international clientele favours the cosy Le Noir for its Italian food and fantastic fish.

Hotel barsIl Bar, the jewel-like cocktail lounge in a corner of the ground floor, is open until 01h.

ActivitiesViewpoint It's a good climb to the top of the Duomo - 166 steps, or there's a lift - but worth it for the eyeful.Arts and culture A tour of La Scala (www.teatroallascala.org) is no substitute for a performance, but diverting nonetheless. Santa Marie delle Grazie houses da Vinci's Last Supper (open until 18h45; closed Mondays; ring +39 2 8942 1146 to book). La Pinacoteca di Brera (+39 2 722 631) is a fine-art must.Something for nothing At aperitivo time, 18h-21h, many bars lay on free canapés. Il Cimitero Monumentale (Tuesday-Sunday till 17h15), where Giuseppe Verdi lies, is an amazing open-air museum in its own right.Shopping Via Montenapoleone,Via della Spiga and Via Sant'Andrea house the showrooms of the major designers, including Gucci, Prada,Versace, Dolce & Gabbana and Bottega Veneta. The Armani empire has its multi-concept store on Via Manzoni. For more affordable purchases (MaxMara, Bruno Magli, Pollini, H&M, Zara), head for Corso Vittorio Emanuele. The area around Porta Ticinese is good for street style (Diesel, Miss Sixty, Fornarina) as well as second-hand shops, handmade clothes and intriguing homewares. The Fiera di Senigallia market, every Saturday, sells ethnic handicrafts, records and bicycles along the Darsena dockyard. Mercato dell'Antiquariato di Brera, on the third Saturday of the month, has stalls selling books, jewellery, antiques and so on.Contact Book The Gray with Mr & Mrs Smith or call 0845 034 0700

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